Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that the absence of a long non coding RNA (lnc122) predisposed mice to high numbers of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), and its replacement decreased the risk of HCC.
Jennifer Cochran and Carolyn Bertozzi have collaborated to develop a bifunctional molecule called a polyspecific integrin-binding peptide (PIP)-LYTAC that can bind to integrins expressed on the surface of cancer cells and trigger their degradation via the lysosome.